While driving at any speed, under any acceleration, accelerator pedal fails and the vehicle's throttle does not respond. Once while driving 70 mph on the E-way, vehicle began decelerating as if gas pedal were not depressed and I had to quickly pull over to shoulder to avoid being stranded in the middle of E-way. Another time I pulled out into heavy traffic and accelerator pedal failed, nearly causing a serious accident. Both times, epc light illuminated in dash cluster - I was able to reset the problem by shutting vehicle off and restarting engine. Dealer diagnosed a failed valve in the throttle body. When I asked the service writer if this was a common problem, he replied "well, not all of them fail." To me this implies a widespread problem. I contacted VW and they would offer no assistance in replacing a part that controls the throttle - this should never fail! VW also would not help me when I went through 3 brake switches (part now subject to recall). Vehicle needs new throttle body. Part is approx. $800 + labor. Why would the throttle fail on a vehicle well under 100,000 miles? primary systems (braking, accelerating) should never fail without warning. This is dangerous and unacceptable.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

While in neutral consumer depressed the gas pedal and vehicle would not gain speed. Consumer applied force and pumped the gas pedal and vehicle would not engage.

- Mount Kisco, NY, USA

While driving at various speeds: The vehicle loses speed control (acceleration pedal non-responsive), the epc sensor light turns on, and the engine light turns on. Without speed control I must quickly maneuver to the shoulder to avoid obstruction of free-flowing traffic. If I shut the engine off and turn it on again, the vehicle regains speed control until the next occurrence (there is no pattern). My mechanicS handheld computer has identified an intermittent problem with the throttle body, which is a by-wire speed control system. Having read similar complaints on the web, I suspect that this may be a common problem with this speed control device that costs almost $700 to replace (excluding labor).

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

While driving at any speed vehicle would accelerate and lose control.

- Leominster, MA, USA

While driving vehicle got stuck in full throttle and accelerated at a high speed. Consumer had to put vehicle in neutral to decrease speed. The dealership indicated that this was caused by a failure in the engine control module.

- Clinton, MA, USA

Driver went to pass vehicle when pedal got stuck, vehicle accelerated up to speeds of 80 mph. Brakes would not override it, and was not able to change gear. Suddendly accelerator pedal resumed position and vehicle acted as normal. Dealer has been notified.

- Remsenburg, NY, USA